Ten Knox County home schoolers had a joint graduation ceremony May 21.
The students are part of the Mid Ohio Christian Home School Association (MOCHA), one of the parents, Deanne McClain, told the Mount Vernon News.
"Anyone who lives in mid-Ohio can join," she said. "Basically, we all work together to hold graduations and various other events."
The graduation was held at Lakeholm Church of the Nazarene in Mount Vernon.
"We had a speaker and all the normal things you have in a graduation," McClain said. "The one thing that was a little different is that the parents handed out the diplomas to each graduate."
The McClains home schooled their two children from kindergarten to 12th grade, she said.
"When COVID happened, it was really seamless for us," she said. "There wasn't really any change. We were well-prepared for that time period. It was nice because I was working part time and my husband was working full time and we got to work from home. So we were all together."
Their daughter, Bethany, who graduated this year, plans to attend Mount Vernon Nazarene University, McClain said. She has already been attending the university under a dual enrollment program.
"She definitely benefits from having one-on-one teaching as opposed to one teacher for 25 students," said McClain. "She could have my undivided attention for anything and no interruptions from other students, other than her brother."
For the McClains, the main goal of home schooling was "to foster stronger bonds within out family and with God," the mother said.
The two children were so busy with outside activities that they had no trouble making friend, McClain said.
"My daughter did dance for 11 years," said McClain. "She is part of a traveling choir. She is working and doing well. She was promoted to team leader on her job."
Their son, Luke, plays sports with East Knox High School and is a licensed lifeguard.
"We're not completely against public schools," said McClain. "We try to let out kids choose the activities they want to do, what they are interested in. He has always been interested in sports. So he played football and basketball at East Knox. East Knox has been wonderful."
